Blackburn Rovers moved a little closer to Championship safety as they drew 1-1 with Stoke City at the bet365 Stadium, stretching their unbeaten run to five matches and moving four points clear of the relegation zone. For Stoke, the point leaves Mark Robins' side 15th with four games remaining after a season in which early play-off hopes have faded.
Adam Forshaw gave the visitors a deserved first-half lead with a curling finish from the edge of the area, but Jesurun Rak-Sakyi brought Stoke back early in the second half by turning in Million Manhoef's cross from close range. The closing stages remained open, yet neither side found a winner, and Stoke's frustration deepened when Ashley Phillips was sent off late on for a second bookable offence.
Blackburn turn a lively opening into a lead
Stoke created the first opening inside nine minutes when Eric Bocat and Sorba Thomas combined well down the left to release Manhoef, whose curling effort drifted just wide. It was a bright start from the home side, but Blackburn soon began to show the greater sharpness in transition.